FAQ’s
Can I bring my Baby, Child, Partner or Friend to the Counselling Appointment?
Only the client and the counsellor are allowed in the counselling room.
What happens at my First Appointment?
The first appointment comprises an assessment of your issues and what you hope to achieve through counselling. The counsellor will also explain the counselling contract and ask you to complete some forms. At the end of the assessment appointment, the counsellor will schedule your first counselling appointment for the following week.
How many Counselling Sessions will I have?
You can end your sessions at any time. We prefer you to discuss this with your counsellor in advance. After 8 weeks your counsellor will initiate a joint review of your progress. You could agree to extend the sessions by an agreed number before the next review or, alternatively, to end at that point. We believe it is best for both the service and the client to ultimately limit the number of sessions.
What if I can’t Attend One Week?
If you know you can’t attend a future session please inform your counsellor. If you find within the week that you can’t attend, please leave a message by phone (not email) with the Centre at least 24 hours in advance. Unless it’s for medical reasons, unplanned absences will incur a donation at half your normal rate.
Will my Counsellor be Competent?
All counsellors are required to work in accordance with the Centre’s Policies and Procedures based on the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy’s Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. In addition, they are required to attend monthly clinical supervision, be members of a relevant professional association and to be DBS checked. Trainees must be certified to practise by their training provider.
What if I don’t like my Counsellor?
For your counselling to be successful, it is better for you to be open and honest about your thoughts and feelings with your counsellor. If you feel you cannot do this for some reason, we would first suggest that you discuss your concerns with your counsellor. Difficulties like this are not uncommon, and your counsellor will not judge you because of this. If after talking through the issue with your counsellor, you still feel that you want another counsellor, then speak to the Receptionist. In order to see another counsellor you would be put back onto the waiting list, and so there may be a delay before you can be seen by another counsellor.
What if I don’t like the Way the Centre has Treated me?
The Centre operates a robust complaints procedure. We recommend you raise the matter with your counsellor. If it can’t be resolved the complainant should document the complaint and address it to the Chair of Trustees who will acknowledge it in writing. The Chair of Trustees will appoint an experienced person (“an Adjudicator”) who is independent having regard to the particular situation. The Adjudicator will investigate the complaint, gather evidence and interview all parties involved. The results of the investigation will be presented to all parties involved with a recommendation for further action. Where that recommendation is not accepted the member will be invited, with a representative of their choosing, to a hearing Chaired by the Chair of Trustees. At the hearing the Adjudicator will present his/her evidence/findings. The member will be able to question and put forward his/her case. The Chair of Trustees will make a recommendation to all parties involved. Where that recommendation is not accepted the issue can be raised with the BACP who will investigate and resolve the issue in accordance with their procedures.